AFC North Preview


 We're quickly approaching the 2025 NFL Season. As such, I'll be previewing each of the divisions over the next few weeks. We'll look at teams in order of finish, then I'll make a prediction for the new season.

Baltimore Ravens
2024 Record: 12-5
About: The Ravens were good in 2024, but not good enough. The team made the Divisional Round, where they lost to the Buffalo Bills. Can the Ravens make the Super Bowl with Lamar Jackson? The quest continues. Derrick Henry was a good edition in 2024, and figures to be a big part of the offensive equation again. The Ravens have weapons, it's about putting it all together.

Pittsburgh Steelers
2024 Record: 10-7
About: Like clockwork, the Steelers finished with a winning record in 2024 and did enough to make the playoffs. But they weren't a serious contender, and bowed out quickly in the Wild Card Round. This off-season, they started over. Aaron Rodgers is in at quarterback, while Kaleb Johnson is in at running back, D.K. Metcalf is in at receiver and Jonnu Smith adds to the tight end room. Will this new offense make the team better? That's the question.

Cincinnati Bengals
2024 Record: 9-8
About: After a dreadful start, and with a horrendous defense, the Bengals came up just short of the post-season. This off-season they locked up the offense, giving big contracts to Tee Higgins and JaMarr Chase. They brought back Mike Gesicki, too. The weapons are there, and the team is focused on starting better. Can Al Golden fix the defense? That might be the team's biggest challenge.

Cleveland Browns
2024 Record: 3-14
About: The Browns were a mess in 2024 and they likely won't be much better in 2025. Deshaun Watson is still on the team, but might not be able to play. They likely don't want him to, either. Joe Flacco is back, and Kenny Pickett came in. The Browns also added Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel in the draft. Are any good enough? We'll find out. The team added Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson in the draft to bolster the running back room, but Judkins has already run afoul of the law. That's not a promising sign.

The Bottom Line: The Ravens are still good and I like the Bengals. I think both teams will compete at the top of the AFC North. I suspect the Steelers will be around .500 again. I don't think the changes are good enough to make a big difference. Meanwhile, the Browns will likely be awful again. But can they be better? We'll see. I think five games might be their ceiling.

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